BULLETIN October 2015 Keeping our waterways alive IWA’s AGM and Annual Member’s Meeting Celebrates Success The Inland Waterway Association’s 2015 Annual Members’ Meeting and AGM was held in Salwarpe Village Hall beside the Droitwich Barge Canal, on Saturday 26th Photo: Les Etheridge Chairman IWA, Speaking at the Association’s Annual September. Members Meeting and AGM 2015 reinforce IWA’s policy on Birkett, as nationally elected Attended by over 70 IWA Environment Agency which is trustees. Tributes were paid to members the day began with that EA needs to provide more retiring trustee Clive Henderson well received presentations effective funding for navigation (nationally elected) and to Alan from Gren Messham (Chairman now and ultimately transfer its Platt and Vaughan Welch (region of Navigation Committee navigation responsibilities to chairmen). The appointment of and IWA Trustee) and Roy Canal & River Trust. Roger Holmes and Mike Carter Chandler (Chairman Essex as the only candidates for South Waterways Ltd). Gren spoke Roy Chandler introduced the West and North West Regions eloquently about the work of work of Essex Waterways along respectively was noted. Those Navigation Committee and the Chelmer and Blackwater gathered were made aware spent some time describing Navigation in celebration of of the vacancies for chairmen how its interactions vary IWA’s first 10 years as the in Eastern and West Midlands with the different navigation navigation manager. The decade regions. authorities depending on has taken the waterway from those authorities’ priorities. an asset in administration and IWA Chief Executive, Neil For example, Environment disrepair to a leisure amenity Edwards presented the Agency lists flooding – both that has been improved beyond accounts providing an in-depth inland and coastal defence, as recognition and with a very breakdown of income and its top concern, followed by bright future ahead of it. expenditure and Les Etheridge, environmental regulation with boating further down the list. In The Association’s AGM followed its 2014/2015 Annual Report the presentations and included Contents Environment Agency shows a routine business. The meeting IWA News 2 turnover of £1.3billion with just recorded the re-appointment Other News 5 0.63% - £8.2m – being spent of Les Etheridge and Gillian IWA Work Parties 7 on navigation. These figures Smith and appointment of Paul Waterway Events 8 Join IWA from £2.55/month - www.waterways.org.uk 1 IWA Bulletin - October 2015 Keeping our waterways alive Chairman of IWA, showed how than 20km (12 miles) in a year. Following a very enjoyable lunch IWA had worked to succeed in As IWA continues to support provided by IWA volunteers and the achievement of its strategic genuine continuous cruisers, the a break which permitted those objectives. One item was Association’s frustration with present to buy branded clothing particularly noticeable as Les boaters who flout the rules is and Christmas cards as well as presented figures provided by fully justified by these figures. spend time networking, it was CRT to a meeting of boating CRT is now taking firm action time for the awards. organisations in January. The against boaters moving such statistics showed that two small distances without a home thirds of boaters without a mooring. home mooring moved less The winners of IWA’s National Relief Road) Public Inquiry to fight IWA News Annual Awards for 2015 were successfully for navigable crossings presented at the Association’s for the Lichfield and Hatherton IWA Announces Annual Members Meeting and canals. National Award AGM. Winners The John Heap Salver, the The Cyril Styring Trophy, the Association’s major fundraising Association’s premier award, which award, has been awarded to is presented to an IWA member Waterway Recovery Group who has made an outstanding North West for its fundraising contribution to the Association’s activities over the last 30 years. campaign, has this year been As well as providing volunteers awarded to Phil Sharpe for his to work on restoration projects campaigning work for IWA over on its regular weekend digs, WRG thirty years and in particular for North West also carries out his work on the current HS2 fundraising activities which support Photo: IWA Award Winners at the Annual Campaign. Phil has spent many its restoration activities. Anyone Members Meeting and AGM, held on hours on the HS2 Campaign, who has attended a waterway 26th September at Salwarpe Village Hall. Left to Right: Derek Bradley (Richard working with others in IWA, and festival will recognise the WRG Bird Medal), David Lowe (Richard Bird attending and negotiating with North West stall with its bric-a- Medal), Phil Sharpe (Cyril Styring Trophy), local authorities at County Council, brac and second hand books. The Les Etheridge (National Chairman), Steve District Council and Parish Council group also runs a paper recycling Connolly (Manchester Branch Chairman, level. Phil originally identified the scheme known as the Paper Chase, accepting John Heap Salver on behalf of Waterway Recovery Group North West), route which would avoid the which involves the collection of Helen Whitehouse (Chairman, Lichfield proposed multiple canal crossings newspaper in the Manchester area Branch – Branch Achievement Award), in the Fradley area which has now to be sold to the recycling industry. Madeline Dean (Richard Bird Medal) and been adopted by the House of WRG North West has built up a Nicholas Bostock (accepting Christopher Commons Select Committee. proud tradition of funding its own Power Award on behalf of Michael Limbrey of the Montgomery Waterway Twenty years ago, Phil also led activities and being able to donate Restoration Trust). Not shown, as unable the combined IWA and Lichfield substantial amounts to WRG to be present on the day, also receiving a & Hatherton Canals Restoration national appeals for replacement Richard Bird Medal, was Roger Evans. Trust teams at the second M6 diggers and vans over the years, as Toll Road (Birmingham Northern well as being generous in support Find out about volunteering - www.waterways.org.uk/volunteer 2 IWA Bulletin - October 2015 Keeping our waterways alive of appeals by waterway restoration vice chairman, and contributed and is currently chairman of the groups. significantly to the trailboat and Commercial Boat Operators campaign festivals held on the Association. The Christopher Power Prize is Lancaster Canal. awarded to a person, society or The Branch Achievement Award, trust that has made a significant Derek Bradley, for his work awarded annually to an IWA contribution to the restoration of during his time as Cambridge branch that has made the greatest an amenity waterway and includeas Branch chairman, and later as progress and achievement in a cash prize of about £1,000. It Eastern Region chairman. Derek promoting the Association’s aims has been awarded to Michael was chairman of Cambridge and objectives during the past Limbrey of the Montgomery (now Great Ouse) Branch for 8 year, was awarded to Lichfield Waterway Restoration Trust. years, and continues as an active Branch. Among many other Michael was instrumental in setting committee member. During his activities, such as responding to up the Trust, whose role is to act time as Eastern Region chairman a staggering number of planning as a lead co-ordinating bridge he supported all the branches in applications every year, this busy between waterway organisations, the region, which covers a wide branch has this year completed local authorities and other public geographical area, and built good towpath improvements in Rugeley agencies in the campaigning relationships with the navigation alongside the new visitor moorings for and restoration of the authorities in the area. created by the branch and been Montgomery Canal. Michael also recognised for its work on HS2, set up a membership organisation Roger Evans, for his volunteering especially at Fradley. In addition, within MWRT – the Friends of activities with WRG and IWA over Lichfield Branch holds well the Montgomery Canal - which is many years. As well as editing attended branch meetings, has an specifically aimed at locally-based North Staffordshire & South excellent programme of walks and supporters. Michael, through both Cheshire Branch’s magazine, Roger fundraising activities and makes these organisations, was actively is also actively involved in the regular donations to waterways involved in the recent ‘Making branch’s Cheshire Locks Project, groups. The branch’s newsletter Waves’ series of events which which is a joint project with the was also commended by the were held over the summer to Trent & Mersey Canal Society, of judging panel. raise the profile of the use of the which he is also currently chairman. restored central section of this key Roger is a familiar figure at IWA Readers of Bulletin are reminded waterway. festivals where he helps with the that nominations for national set up and take down as well as awards can be made by individual Richard Bird Medals are awarded working on the sales stand during members and branch and region to members whose efforts and the event. committees, and full details of the support are considered to have awards and how to nominate an brought significant benefit to David Lowe, for his many years of individual or waterway organisation the Association over a sustained campaigning as an IWA member can be found on the national period of time. This year, Richard for the retention and promotion awards pages.Nominations